Fiji rugby

Last week’s announcement that the Olympics have been delayed a year has caused the sevens coach an unexpected headache, and the problem extends to his squad as a number of players had planned to take up lucrative deals in 15s rugby – most notably in America’s enlarged Major League Rugby – after the Olympic Games.

The lure of Olympic gold will now force these players to look again at those club contracts and decide if they want to remain part of the Fijian sevens squad as it attempts to repeat the glory it won at the 2016 Games in Rio. 

The Fijian sevens superstar has his eyes set on helping his country win another Olympic Games gold medal in Tokyo this year and when the tournament takes place his boots will feature those two words that are designed to remind him of the sacrifices his parents made to give him a sporting chance.

Tuwai’s father and mother scrimped and saved enough money to buy their son his first pair of rugby boots. As she handed them over Tuwai’s mother told him “ this is your knife and fork .”

Fijian Latui coach Senirusi Seruvakula said the team had spent the last three weeks in camp focused on fitness, defence and mastering the competition's modified rules, which included 35 minutes halves, no gain in ground when kicking directly to touch and nine point "power tries" for attacks launched from within a team's own 22.

"Last week we were working on the rules for the GRR and everyone's understanding, to understand the rules very well and now we are excited for our first game against China [Lions] on Saturday."

The 31-year-old has won 13 caps for the Flying Fijians and makes the move to the Scottish capital following three seasons at English Championship side, Jersey Reds.

On signing with Edinburgh, Atalifo, said: “The move represents a great opportunity for me to be part of such a historic club. I’m excited to do able to continue doing what I love and to test myself against the very best in the Guinness PRO14 as well as on the European stage.

Tuimaba arrived home yesterday morning to join his family who are mourning the loss of his grandfather, who the Yasawa speedster attributes much of his rugby and professional success to.

Ikanikoda sustained a high grade ankle injury in the Monday's Cup final defeat by South Africa in Los Angeles.

Fiji coach Gareth Baber said the squad was fortunate to have enough depth that he could call upon replacements without disruption to their preparation for Canada.

Vilimoni Botitu and Aminiasi Tuimaba scored two tries each while Jerry Tuwai, Asaeli Tuivuaka and Livai Ikanikoda scored a try each.

Fiji led 19-7 at half-time.

Captain, Meli Derenalagi was yellow carded in the first half for challenging a player in mid-air.

South Africa beat New Zealand 17-0 in the second Cup semifinal.

NZ beat France 29-14 in their quarterfinal while South Africa beat USA 12-10.

Fiji’s 2016 Olympic Games gold was turned into a book by former head coach Ben Ryan and became an acclaimed film, Sevens from Heaven charting the amazing achievement by some of the World’s most talented, yet underfunded rugby union players, who seamlessly moved from village matches to an Olympic Games final in Brazil.

The Test match was approved by the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) earlier this week and is scheduled for October 2020 before their Europe tour in November.

FRU chief executive officer, John O'Connor, said he hoped the extra Test matches would boost the performance of the team as they focussed on the next Rugby World Cup in 2023.

The Manu 7s wore a black armband in their opening match against Canada to honour the victims of the measles epidemic which has taken more than 60 lives back in Samoa.

Sir Gordon Tietjens' side conceded two first half tries but responded in kind through Paul Scanlan and Tofatu Solia to go into the half-time break all square at 12-all.

The Fijiana XV overwhelmed Samoa 41-13 in the Oceania qualifying final at the weekend to book their ticket to New Zealand.

Head coach Alifereti Doviverata said qualifying for the World Cup is a "historical moment" that will enhance development for women's rugby in Fiji.

"It means a lot firstly, for the development of women's rugby," said the former Flying Fijians captain.

"I think it has come a long way since its inception in Fiji and the rugby development officers, the CEO and staff have been working tirelessly to get some recognition in women's rugby in Fiji."